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| Whitening Options |
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| OTC (Over The
Counter) Whitening Products |
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What
are OTC whitening products?
These are any of the variety of whitening solutions and products that
you can generally buy from retail stores. These include whitening
toothpastes, whitening strips, whitening gels, and any other whitening
systems available. The most popular is whitening strips.
How do they work?
Whitening strips by far are the most popular over the counter
whitening product available. They are appealing because they are easy
to use and are inexpensive. The whitening strips have a bleaching
agent already on them and simply need to be placed on the teeth. Whitestrips
are worn for about 30 minutes twice a day for maximum effectiveness.
The treatment itself takes about 14 days to complete and can last
up to 4 months before another series is necessary.
Whitening toothpastes are basically an abrasive and do not
contain a bleaching element. They work by scrubbing the surface layer
of the enamel and do not actually penetrate the tooth like whitening
gels. These toothpastes use a polish or chemical agent to remove stain
causing elements. Whitening toothpastes work best on very minor discoloration.
Advantages of OTC whitening products
Out of all the teeth whitening systems available, over the counter
whitening products provide the cheapest solution. You can find them
for as little as $10. Compare that to paying $300 or more for chairside
whitening. Not only that, they are readily available and accessible
from any retail or drug store. There is no need to make an appointment.
Disadvantages of OTC whitening products
A major disadvantage is the relatively low concentration of bleaching
agent in the strips. This can mean people with heavy stains on their
teeth may not be able to obtain the shade of white they desire or
it may take longer to have the desired results. Another disadvantage
is that the strips don't cover every tooth and can't cover all of
the tooth. This can result in uneven whitening.
Conclusion
Over the counter whitening systems are a great alternative to more
expensive whitening systems but still have drawbacks. People who just
need a shade or two of whitening done may find this a great solution
while people with heavier stained teeth may not find them to be of
much benefit. As always, be sure to consult with your dentist or oral
health care professional before starting any teeth whitening system.
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